away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

MR. JOSEPH FIELD was the son of a praying father, and, as such, led a quiet, moral life until, taking a lodging with other youths who were unsteady, their evil communications were the means of drawing him into the paths of sin, in which he became a leader. About the age of twenty he heard a sermon from the words, "All flesh is grass," which at the time did not much impress him; but afterwards, whilst sweeping up the loose grass on a lawn, the text and sermon came powerfully to his mind, inducing a conviction that thus might he be cut down and perish, for, thought he, I am flesh.

Ábout this time he sought the company of a young woman (who afterwards became his wife), which she refused to give him unless he agreed to go to chapel with her. To this he consented, and, after four or five years attending the house of God, the arrow of conviction pierced him, giving a wound that nothing but the blood of Christ could heal, from the words, "Woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him." He was made keenly to feel his lost state, his sins against God, his father's prayers and neglected good advice, &c. From the heart he was led to utter the prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner,'

which was soon graciously answered. So great was the change that ensued that all things became new. In the course of time he became baptized, with five others, in the name of our Triune Covenant God. Many years after, he was led to speak here and there of the rich grace of God as revealed in the Gospel.

The last thirty years of his life he was always engaged in the Lord's work, who gave him seals to his ministry both at Saxlingham-where he preached statedly for thirteen years-and at Brook, where he laboured to the end. Two or three weeks before he died he preached his last sermon at Brook from Luke xxiv. 39. He had often feared as to want in old age, but the Lord pro

vided for him in a way he little expected. His last few days on earth were happy beyond expression; although in health he had many fears, he really passed to heaven in the chariot of everlasting love, having lived upon earth eighty years within a few days. May our last end be like his!

MR. G. RIDLEY.-This good brother, known to many in Suffolk, London, and elsewhere, entered the City above, December 27th, 1882. He was for fifteen years minister of the Baptist church at Wetherden, Suffolk, during which time he drove his own horse and trap from Bury St. Edmunds, the place of his residence, to Wetherden every Lord'sday, a distance there and back of twenty miles, to preach that Gospel to others which to the end of his life was so dear to him. Being removed, in the providence of God, several years since to Willesden, he joined the church at Ham Road, Kingston, to whom, as long as health permitted, he occasionally preached the Gospel and regularly broke bread. By his advice and through his influence that church joined the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches. He was a

staunch defender of the faith and order so many years advocated in the pages of the Gospel Herald. He died in the faith and in peace, aged fifty-nine, and was interred at Kensal Green, near the graves of those honoured and beloved servants of the Lord, J. Foreman and W. Palmer, on January 1st, 1883. F. C. Holden, whom the deceased baptized at Wetherden twenty-seven years ago, officiated on the solemn occasion. Mr. Ridley was brother to Mr. Thomas Ridley, the present Mayor of Bury St. Edmunds. A widow and eight children mourn the loss of the departed. May they all, by the grace of God, follow him to the place where all tears are for ever wiped away!

MR. ADAM MOTT.

THIS valued Christian gentleman was baptized in 1824 by Mr. Stevens at Meard's Court Chapel, though he sub

sequently connected himself with the church at Keppel Street.

His early days were associated with much sorrow; for his health was feeble, and the strain of life's duties, and the cares of his family, rendered his pilgrimage a season of care and anxiety.

He nevertheless filled a commercial position with credit almost to the end of his days, securing the very hearty esteem of his employers, and all with whom he was associated. He was one of the kindest of men. Singularly inoffensive, patient and uncomplaining, he was never known to assume hostile attitude towards any one; while he was regarded with the truest affection by those who were favoured to know him intimately. His life-as a sinner saved by grace-was a quiet but continuous testimony to the goodness and mercy of the Lord.

an

Very recently he was (though advanced in years) elected a deacon of his church, a post which he filled worthily and well. His pastor and colleagues entertained for him an esteem which grew with time; and his sudden death, just before Christmas, 1882, filled all hearts with unfeigned

sorrow.

MR. WILLIAM BRADLEY, HIGHLY esteemed as an itinerant preacher, fell asleep in Jesus in January, 1883, and was interred by W. J. Styles at Nunhead Cemetery on the 15th of that morth.

His life was long. He served as a deacon under David Denham, and was connected with many other honoured ministers who have gone home before him.

His secular calling was that of an inspector at the Southwark District Post Office, and it is recorded that he invariably discharged the duties of his position with such consideration that he was never known to utter an excited or angry word. The petty officialism which so many of his colleagues displayed, he avoided, as utterly needless, always feeling that if he acted as a Christian gentleman he would be

treated as such in return. Both the department and all employés bore spontaneous witness to his integrity and efficiency on his retirement, after nearly fifty years' service.

As a Christian he was kind, unobtrusive, and reliable; as a preacher, sound, savoury, and simple, aiming at usefulness, without any straining for effect. His seals were many; his acceptance great. Having done his work wisely and well, he has entered into the joy of his Lord.

MR. JOHN COLLIER. THIS much-esteemed gentleman was originally a member of Meard's Court Chapel, in which he was baptized by Mr. Stevens in 1834. He subsequently connected himself with the church at Keppel Street of which he was for many years a respected member, and which, for a considerable time, he served in the capacity of deacon.

He was a man of sterling commercial integrity-exact, punctual, and trustworthy-and, for forty years, filled with credit a post of great responsibility in an important firm in the City.

Socially, he was transparently kind, gentle, and affectionate, professing in an eminent degree the power of attracting love and of making all around him happy.

As a Christian he was favoured to possess his soul in patience and to trust with confident reliance on the merits of the Redeemer whom grace had brought him to love.

He was a steady and consistent friend to the Strict Baptist Mission, which he served with assiduity to the last.

His end was peace, and he passed from us in December, 1882, aged sixtyeight years.

MR. JOHN GOLDSMITH. THE subject of this brief sketch was born at Dicker, Sussex, in the year 1832. Blessed with parents who valued the means of grace, he grew up surrounded with Gospel privileges, the trumpet being blown with a certain

sound. Preserved by Divine grace from launching out into open wickedness, he was led quietly and gradually by God the Holy Ghost to an experience of salvation. This merciful dealing was in after years a source of great anxiety to him. He was tempted by the enemy to think himself deceived, because he had not been shook over the mouth of hell. Those who were intimately acquainted with him, however, could not help perceiving marks of a genuine Christian. He was a man of few words, but when he did speak his utterances were characterised by solidity and common sense. He was an ardent lover of the truth, and a hater of all the varied free-will abominations of the land. A few years since, the Lord enabled him to confess his Saviour openly, and he was baptized by Mr. White, and united to the church meeting for worship at Ebenezer Chapel, King's Cross. There he continued, until an unhappy rupture of the church's peace led him and his wife to seek another spiritual home. Eventually they settled down at Providence Chapel, Upper Street, Islington; and on Lord'sday, October 3rd, 1880, the pastor, Mr. P. Reynolds, had the pleasure of giving this good brother the right hand of Christian fellowship. For two years only was he spared to the church, but that time was sufficient to prove that the Lord had lent us one of his rare jewels. He was a pattern of godliness in his daily walk; and, though a constant sufferer, he habitually filled his place when the Lord's house was open. In this he set a good example to many who make such idle excuses for their absence from the Lord's courts. hear him plead with his Father, was to listen to a privileged child indeed. Often has his pastor's heart been cheered as this humble Christian poured out his soul on behalf of the church and the ministry. By his very trembling, he seemed to cling more tightly to his God. He was, for some considerable time, troubled by 1 Cor. xi. 27, but latterly the Lord blessed him with more light and liberty.

To

Consumption was the dire disease

which took our brother from us.

It

was apparent to many that he became increasingly feeble, but no one expected the end would come so quickly. The last time he sat in God's earthly house was at a week-night prayer-meeting, and his last public petition will be long remembered.

It was as though his

soul was beating against its cage, longing to be gone. He kept to his bedroom about a fortnight before his death, but was able, up to the last day, to be dressed and sit in his chair. The fear of death, which had bound him so long, was taken away at the last. A day or two before his death, in a conversation with his pastor, he manifested that heavenly tranquillity which the Lord grants to those whose minds are stayed on Him. A little after nine on the night of November 24th last, he said to his dear wife he thought he should like to go to bed. In helping him to undress she found he was more than usually exhausted, and his feet were very cold. The Lord was beginning to unrobe him, and the angels were ready to strike their harps of gold. With her help, he walked across the room; and, as he sat down upon the side of the bed, she noticed a change pass over his countenance. Her voice was almost choked, as she said, "My dear, you are going." "Yes," he murmured; and, laying his head upon the pillow he breathed his last. "So He giveth His beloved sleep." Although he was not privileged with rapturous joy, yet the Lord divided Jordan, and took His servant over dry-shod. He was interred, in accordance with his own desire, in Zoar Chapel Cemetery, Dicker, Sussex. The funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Reynolds, at Providence Chapel, Islington, on Lord's-day evening, December 3rd, to a very large congregation. The text was, "Followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises." May we follow our departed brother in as far as he followed Christ, and at last have an abundant entrance ministered unto us into glory. P. REYNOLDS.

HARWICH BAPTIST CHAPEL SUNDAY
SCHOOL.

SUCH has been the prosperity attending this new institution in connection with the Baptist interest in this town, mainly through the indomitable courage and persevering efforts of Mrs. Cowell, that the managers were enabled to give New Year's prizes to the 107 children now in attendance at the school. This pleasing feature of success was carried out on Wednesday evening, January 3rd, when a public meeting was held in the chapel, attended by both its superintendents and eleven of its faithful and zealous teachers. The meeting was opened by the minister, Mr. Josiah Cowell, offering a few words in prayer. Mr. Joseph Grice, deacon, then gave out that appropriate hymn—

"Shine on our Sabbath School,

Thou God of mercy, shine," &c.

At the close of which the minister commented upon the several striking points contained in that fruitful and prayerful hymn of praise. The prizes were then given, accompanied by salutary and encouraging remarks from the minister to each child as they passed by the bookladen table and severally received their re

wards. The ceremonial was interspersed by the singing of suitable hymns, that beautiful one (Wileman's) commencing

"Perish every human story,

Every system taught or tried;
God forbid that I should glory
Save in Jesus crucified "

being given out by Mr. W. Lay, deacon, and which was sweetly sung by the welltrained children to Mozart's sympathetic "Wrington." tune, Another hymn, beginning

"A happy New Year to you all," being heartily rendered, and the remainder of the prizes given, this very enjoyable meeting, commencing at seven o'clock and ending at nine, was brought to a close by singing "the doxology.”—Local Paper.

PENTSIDE CHAPEL, DOVER.

Mr. Austin's Resignation of the Pastorate. IN accordance with an intimation to that effect, given to the church and congregation a short time since, Mr. John Austin has resigned his pastorate at Pentside Chapel, Dover. This he has been reluct